Main news(2025/04/07)
The NY Dow fell by more than $1,700 at one point amid concerns over the risk of a global recession
2025-04-07 22:55:00
On the 7th, sell orders spread immediately after trading began on the New York Stock Exchange, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average temporarily fell by more than $1,700 compared to last weekend. This is due to the intensification of trade friction triggered by the "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by the Trump administration, and concerns about the risk of a global economic recession are growing. Even as stock prices fall sharply, President Trump's emphasis on his intention to maintain the "reciprocal tariffs" is also dampening investor sentiment.
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Japan Airlines plane hits taxiway light at Haneda Airport, causing delays to some flights
2025-04-07 22:45:00
On the night of the 7th, a Japan Airlines passenger plane taxiing at Haneda Airport collided with a light on the taxiway leading to the runway. In addition to damaging the light, some flights were delayed, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism is currently investigating the details of the incident.
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Men's ski jumping: Ryoyu Kobayashi: "This season gave me confidence"
2025-04-07 22:14:00
Men's ski jumper Kobayashi Ryoyu returned to Japan on the 7th after the end of the season and spoke of his enthusiasm for next year's Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics, saying, "It was a season that gave me confidence. I want to do my best and aim for the Olympic gold medal."
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Nankai Trough Massive Earthquake Review Committee: "Further strengthening of early evacuation measures from tsunamis"
2025-04-07 21:49:00
Following a revision in March of the government's damage estimates for a major earthquake along the Nankai Trough, Sunao Hirata, chairman of a study group assessing seismic activity and crustal movement along the Nankai Trough, called for not only increased earthquake resistance but also stronger efforts to ensure rapid evacuation from tsunamis.
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Honda vice president resigns after misconduct at off-hours social gathering
2025-04-07 21:24:00
Honda announced that Executive Vice President Shinji Aoyama resigned on the 7th for inappropriate conduct at a social gathering outside of work hours. President Toshihiro Mibe also said he would voluntarily give up 20% of his monthly salary for two months.
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Prime Minister Ishiba speaks with President Trump by phone, asks for review of tariff measures
2025-04-07 21:11:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Prime Minister Ishiba is believed to have held a telephone conversation with President Trump from around 9 pm on the 7th. He plans to explain that Japan has made huge investments in the US and is contributing to job creation, and to ask for a review of the measures.
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NPB begins considering introduction of specially shaped "torpedo bat"
2025-04-07 21:08:00
The Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) has announced that it has begun considering introducing the "torpedo bat," a unique shape with the thickest part in the middle that has become a hot topic in Major League Baseball. The Rules Committee, which reviews the rules of baseball, will investigate the matter and, if approved by the Executive Committee, which is made up of representatives from the 12 teams, the bat will be officially introduced.
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Minoh forest fire in Osaka: Fire department announces "fire almost extinguished"
2025-04-07 20:40:00
Regarding the forest fire that broke out in Minoh City, Osaka on the evening of the 7th, the fire department announced that the fire had been almost completely extinguished by 7pm.
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Seven-Eleven store manager commits suicide; Oita recognized as work-related accident after six months without a day off
2025-04-07 19:23:00
A 38-year-old man who worked as a manager at a Seven-Eleven store in Oita Prefecture committed suicide three years ago. An interview with the family's lawyer revealed that the death was recognized as a work-related accident caused by working without a single day off for six months.
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Prime Minister Ishiba to hold telephone talks with President Trump as early as tonight
2025-04-07 18:59:00
Regarding the US tariff measures, Prime Minister Ishiba is making arrangements to hold a telephone conversation with President Trump as early as the evening of the 7th. It is expected that he will explain to the US that Japan has made huge investments and contributed to job creation, and ask for a review of the measures.
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Aging of cherry trees nationwide; company develops AI technology to assess health status
2025-04-07 18:35:00
Cherry trees planted more than 60 years ago, such as those along the Meguro River in Tokyo, a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, are aging nationwide. As such, a private company has developed a system that uses AI technology to determine the health of trees from photographs.
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Bank of Japan leaves economic assessment unchanged across all regions amid concerns over U.S. administration's tariff policies
2025-04-07 18:04:00
The Bank of Japan released its "Regional Economic Report," which is compiled every three months, on the 7th. The economic assessment for all regions was unchanged, but companies across the country reported concerns about preparations for and the impact of the tariff policy of the Trump administration in the United States.
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Rice planting begins in Ehime, with many people already selling rice due to soaring prices
2025-04-07 17:45:00
The average price of rice at supermarkets nationwide was 4,206 yen per 5 kg, including tax, for the week ending on the 30th of last month. This is a 10 yen increase from the previous week, and marks the 13th consecutive week of price increases. The government began selling stockpiled rice in stores late last month, and the trend in rice prices has been attracting attention.
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Two company employees indicted for allegedly providing data to North Korean IT engineer
2025-04-07 16:27:00
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has referred two Japanese office workers to prosecutors on suspicion of fraudulently providing driver's license and bank account details to a person believed to be a North Korean IT engineer and helping him register on a job intermediary website while posing as a Japanese national.
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Prime Minister Ishiba "will visit the US as soon as possible if necessary" - House of Councillors Budget Committee
2025-04-07 15:59:00
Amid growing concerns about the impact of U.S. tariff measures, Prime Minister Ishiba stated at the House of Councillors Budget Committee that he intends to visit the United States as soon as possible if necessary, in order to explain that Japan is not acting unfairly and that it is contributing to job creation and other areas.
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Kobayashi Pharmaceutical's Red Koji Issue: Shareholder Derivative Lawsuit Seeks 13.5 Billion Yen in Compensation
2025-04-07 15:31:00
In response to a series of problems surrounding supplements containing red yeast rice ingredients, a Hong Kong investment fund, which is a major shareholder in Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, has filed a derivative lawsuit against the then-chairman and president, both of whom are from the founding family, seeking approximately 13.5 billion yen in compensation from the company.
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Prime Minister Ishiba: "We will strongly urge the elimination or reduction of tariffs imposed by the US government"
2025-04-07 15:18:00
Regarding the tariff measures imposed by the Trump administration in the United States, Prime Minister Ishiba carefully explained at a government and ruling party liaison meeting that Japan is the largest investor in the United States and is also contributing to job creation, and expressed his intention to strongly urge for the elimination or reduction of these tariffs.
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Forest fire in Goto, Nagasaki, firefighting efforts continue
2025-04-07 14:18:00
A forest fire broke out in Goto City, Nagasaki Prefecture, just before noon on the 7th, and firefighting efforts are ongoing.
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Methane gas exceeding standard levels detected at Osaka/Kansai Expo site; measures strengthened
2025-04-07 13:35:00
On the 6th, it was discovered that methane gas levels had been detected above the legal limit at the site of the Osaka Kansai Expo. Last year, an explosion caused by methane gas occurred in the same area, and the Expo Association has stated that it will strengthen its countermeasures.
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Former Unification Church ordered to disband; cult files immediate appeal against decision
2025-04-07 11:42:00
The former Unification Church filed an immediate appeal to the Tokyo High Court, dissenting from the Tokyo District Court's order to disband over issues of excessive donations and fraudulent sales. The hearing will be transferred to the High Court, and if the High Court issues another dissolution order, the dissolution procedure will begin, so the outcome of the hearing is attracting attention.
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Japan Post Bank system malfunction, online banking unavailable
2025-04-07 11:19:00
Japan Post Bank has announced that a malfunction has occurred in its systems for internet banking and smartphone payments, making services unavailable. There is currently no prospect of recovery, and the cause is currently being investigated.
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House of Representatives members' assets disclosed: Average of 26.85 million yen, lowest since disclosure began in 1993
2025-04-07 10:51:00
The assets of the members of the House of Representatives who were elected in last October's House of Representatives election have been made public. The average assets per person was 26.85 million yen, the lowest since disclosure began in 1993.
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[Earthquake Alert] Earthquake magnitude 3 hits Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures, no risk of tsunami
2025-04-07 10:05:00
At around 9:52 a.m. on the 7th, an earthquake measuring 3 on the Richter scale was observed in Chiba and Ibaraki prefectures. There is no need to worry about a tsunami caused by this earthquake.
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President Trump: "We need medicine to fix something" - emphasizes "reciprocal tariffs"
2025-04-07 09:41:00
As stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange plummeted due to the "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by the Trump administration, President Trump told reporters on the 6th, "I don't want anything to fall, but sometimes you need medicine to fix something. We have been treated badly by other countries because of foolish administrations that allowed this to happen," emphasizing his intention to impose "reciprocal tariffs."
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Stock prices plummet by more than 2,500 yen amid fears of a global economic slowdown due to mutual tariffs
2025-04-07 09:14:00
The Nikkei average on the Tokyo Stock Exchange on the 7th, the start of the week, plummeted by over 2,500 yen in about 10 minutes after trading began. The Chinese government announced additional tariffs in retaliation against the Trump administration's "reciprocal tariffs," which has intensified trade friction and raised concerns that the risk of the global economy falling into recession has grown, leading to a large number of sell orders in the Tokyo market.
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Two more deaths confirmed in Nagasaki helicopter accident, bringing death toll to three
2025-04-07 06:48:00
On the 6th, a helicopter transporting a patient from Tsushima in Nagasaki Prefecture to a hospital in Fukuoka City went missing and was found off the coast of Iki, with three of the six people on board confirmed dead: an 86-year-old female patient, her son, and a male doctor. Contact with the aircraft was reportedly lost about 10 minutes after departure, and the Japan Coast Guard is currently investigating the details of the incident.
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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani goes hitless for the second straight game, team loses
2025-04-07 06:41:00
Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers started against the Phillies in Major League Baseball and drew one walk, making it 11 consecutive games since the start of the season that he has reached base, but he ended up with two consecutive no-hitters and his team lost the game.
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U.S. Treasury Secretary emphasizes the legitimacy of tariff policy despite stock price plunge due to "reciprocal tariffs"
2025-04-07 06:17:00
As stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange plummeted due to the "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by the Trump administration, Treasury Secretary Bessent said that the market would react in the short term and that "I see no reason to price in the possibility of a recession," emphasizing the legitimacy of the tariff policy.
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Central Nippon Expressway ETC system failure Tolls until recovery will be settled at a later date
2025-04-07 06:02:00
On the 6th, a widespread ETC system failure occurred within the jurisdiction of Central Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd., and even now, more than a day has passed since it was last repaired. The company is asking drivers who use ETC to pay the toll at a later date and pass through the exit as is until the system is repaired.
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Emperor and Empress to visit Iwo Jima today to commemorate war dead 80 years after the war
2025-04-07 04:46:00
On the 7th, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress will visit Iwo Jima in the Ogasawara Islands, a fierce battlefield at the end of the Pacific War, to pay tribute to the war dead on the 80th anniversary of the end of the war.
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Tokyo stock market at start of the week: focus on whether the unrest over “Trump tariffs” will subside
2025-04-07 04:37:00
Last week, major stock markets around the world, including Tokyo, suffered record declines across the board due to concerns that the Trump administration's tariff policies would have a serious impact on the economy. Trading on the Tokyo Stock Exchange begins at 9 a.m. on the 7th, but the focus is on whether the market turmoil will subside as investors become more risk-averse.
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